Current Flag

Description of current flag:
The flag's ratio is 3:5. It is a white over blue over red horizontal tricolour. The coat of arms is in the centre of the flag.
Sources: this online catalogueKlaus-Michael Schneider, 21 June 2017

Plain Flag reported 1891

1:2 image by Klaus-Michael Schneider, 23 Nov 2011

Description of flag:
The ratio is given as 1:2. It was a white over red horizontal bicolour.
Source:H.Ahrens "Hannoversche Landschafts-und Städtewappen", 1891, plate XX
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 23 Nov 2011

Coat of Arms

Description of coat of arms:
Shield Argent, a 4-spokes wheel Gules with the spokes in saltire.
Meaning:
In 1443 the Bishops of Osnabrück granted city rights to Melle. The city rights were confirmed in 1852. The oldest known seal with prints from 1532 displays St. John the Baptist as patron saint of Osnabrück, holding a shield with the wheel of the Bishopric of Osnabrück. The number of spokes in the wheel was later reduced to four and the colours were changed to red and silver. Inbetween the spokes of the wheel had been ordered per cross, but in 1937 the "running wheel" with spokes in saltire was restored.
The arms were approved in 1937 and confirmed in 1964.
Source: Stadler 1970, p.58
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 21 June 2017